Witness tells his side after Manitou Springs police arrest suspect in shooting near Dillon Motel
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. -- A suspect is in custody and facing multiple felony charges related to a shooting that injured one person last month in Manitou Springs.
Police identified the suspect as 33-year-old Cole Darren Johnson in a release Tuesday. The shooting occurred near the Dillon Motel on the east side of Manitou Springs Nov. 23.
Kevin McClure, who heard three gunshots at a nearby car wash, says he rushed out of his home into the parking lot of the Dillon Motel. He found the victim laying on the ground crying for help.
"All he was saying is 'Please do not let me die,'" McClure said. "I did what I could and as far as I know he is okay. It was just an unreal thing to see."
McClure says he saw two gunshot wounds in the chest area, immediately applying pressure to the victim's injuries while police and medics arrived on scene.
Manitou Springs police say the suspect identification and arrest was a multi-agency effort. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office aided in the investigation while information from the Fountain Police Department helped Manitou police to develop a suspect.
McClure says he's happy the shooter is off the streets.
"Oh yeah, it gives me great peace of mind knowing that he's off," said McClure, who takes his vehicle to the same car wash where the victim was shot. "You don't take another person to shoot them for any reason like that."
MSPD previously released information describing the suspect and his getaway vehicle. An arrest affidavit for the suspect shows the Chrysler van shown below was stolen.
Johnson is facing the following charges:
- Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder
- First Degree Assault
Previous coverage:
Police are investigating a shooting in Manitou Springs that left one man injured.
It happened shortly after 7:00 pm near Manitou Avenue and Highway 24. Manitou Springs Police Chief Brian Churchill says the victim was shot twice and is in stable condition. At this time there are no suspects in custody.
A witness who says they saw the shooting happen tells us it started at the car wash east of the Dillon Motel. The victim got out his car when he was approached by another man asking for money. The witness then says the man who asked for money shot the victim twice and left.
The witness also tells us the victim then crawled to the Dillon Motel asking for help. That's when police were called.
This investigation is still ongoing. Check back here for the latest updates.
